Clover spread boasts a delightful buttery taste and half the saturated fat of butter, yet is it right for everyone? In this article I delve deep to investigate this popular product to see whether there is anything beneficial and any possible drawbacks.
What Is Clover (Technically Speaking)
Clover looks and tastes similar to butter but technically it is not. True butter is made entirely from cream while Clover contains both dairy and non-dairy components in combination with water as a binding agent; its primary ingredients being vegetable oils from palm and rapeseed crops mixed with buttermilk which accounts for 20% of its ingredients, plus natural flavouring agents and carotenes to add colour.
If Clover does not meet the definition of butter, could it then be classified as margarine?
In the UK, margarine is defined by its fat content criteria – specifically an 80% minimum fatty content requirement to qualify as margarine and distinguish it from similar spreads that contain less lipid.
Clover spread contains about 64% fat content and does not meet the threshold for classification as margarine; more accurately described as “fat spread with buttermilk,” making it unsuitable for vegans.
Are Clovers Trans Fat Free? Modern production of Clover contains very minimal or no trans fat due to advances in its manufacturing processes compared to earlier years.
Manufacturers have taken active measures to limit or eliminate trans fats through selecting healthier oils and improving production techniques.
Although natural trans fats may occur in limited amounts in certain oils used by Clover (palm oil for instance), their impact is limited by our carefully chosen ingredients and manufacturing practices.
Modern versions of Clover spread, both original and light varieties, are generally accepted to contain minimal to no trans fats.
What about lactose and gluten? mes Clover spread does contain lactose as it includes buttermilk in its ingredients list – milk is naturally high in lactose.
Clover spread does not contain gluten as its ingredients include vegetable oils and buttermilk that do not contain it.
Gluten is typically found in grains like wheat, barley and rye; since Clover spread does not list these or their derivatives as ingredients, it can be considered gluten-free and thus suitable for those with sensitivities to gluten or celiac disease.
Now that we understand what constitutes Clover’s constituent parts and components, let’s take a deeper dive into its nutritional values.
